The Nymph's Redemption: Acantha's Journey (7ds fanfiction)

Chapter Twenty-Two: An Offer or a Life

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Acantha looked up at Elizabeth with a confused expression. It was an extremely sudden topic. "Elizabeth... I'm sure I'll be fine... Did you have a bad dream or something?" She asked, her brows furrowing. The taller girl stopped in her tracks. "I had a vision. That you were crying about everyone leaving you behind..." She stated, looking at the ground. Acantha tilted her head a bit and stood in front of the princess. "Elizabeth..." She trailed off. "There's a spider on your shirt." She pointed out, causing the girl to squeal and ask for it to be removed. Acantha flicked off the bug and watched it run off.

The two headed back to the tavern where the sins were all gathered, Diane and King seemed to have joined them this time. "Yo what's up ladies." Meliodas smiled. "We were just getting some fresh air is all." The silverette said. Acantha fixed some of her hair as they all talked. Mostly they were trying to get caught up on why they were gone. Diane was put into her smaller form so she could hang out inside the tavern. Acantha strangely felt tired and decided she would go rest. As the walked she heard the voice of Elaine call to her from the open door of her bedroom. The nymph carefully stepped in to see her smiling blonde fairy friend. "Hey Acantha. How are things?" She asked as her nymph friend sat on a nearby chair.  "They're alright. Though I've been feeling more drained of energy lately...." She said. Elaine giggled. "You always were a tired person. I heard Ban is training you. He says you've been getting better." The blonde stated.

The two conversed for hours until Elaine had to rest a bit more. It was getting dark out and Acantha went to sleep early. She could hear the chatter of everyone downstairs in the bar but didn't feel too up to drinking that night. Despite the tired feeling in her body, she couldn't quite get to sleep. What Elizabeth said to her that day... It really took over any thought she had. 'Would they really turn their back to me...? Is there really no one I can trust...?' She thought and looked out the window from where she layed. "Maybe I just need fresh air to clear my mind..." She mumbled and gently opened the window. 'By where the moon is... Its still early in the night... Ah jeez...' So many thoughts ran through her head. Acantha looked at the dark night sky and zoned out a bit.

The sounds of the night time critters coming alive, that sweet and clean midnight breeze that blew in and gently grazed her warm cheeks. Who wouldn't feel at peace like this. Acantha let herself zone out and daydream a bit about her hopes, her dreams. This all lasted only a few minutes as there was a shadow looming over her window. And like a hawk catching a mouse, she no longer felt the cold wood flooring beneath her feet. Instead it was just an empty sky beneath her. She barely even had time to scream or call for help when she was above the clouds. The pale girl felt the talons of a bird on her shoulders and slowly glanced up to see a demon bird flying. Her eyes widened with fear and out of an anxiety of being let go, she held onto the creature's legs. "Who are you?! Where are you taking me?! And why?!" She asked, knowing it was pointless either way.

Acantha tried to find any sign of direction they were heading and noticed they were heading south. The demon bird suddenly boosted its speed even faster, scaring the young girl even more. After about twenty minutes, they were at Camelot. "What the... Is this Camelot...? It... It's barely recognizable..." She mumbled as she saw the demon infested kingdom. "What am I doing here... And why... I need answers... But... The closer we get to the castle... The more fear I feel..." The girl's voice grew hushed as the demon landed, dropping Acantha onto the ground before she was dragged inside by brainwashed humans. The demon bird followed of course and stared down at the nymph to assure she wasn't going to try and escape. "Lord Zeldris. Here." The demon bird suddenly said.

Acantha looked over her shoulder and froze. In front of her was him, the leader of the Ten Commandments, Zeldris of Piety. "Good... You useless humans can go now." He said. The raven haired boy sat on Arthur's throne with his cheek resting upon his fist. "B-But... Lord Zeldris... You promised us food... If we escorted the girl in here..." One of the humans said. "Please we beg Sir-" another was cut off as a sword was stabbed into his stomach and pulled out. The human coughed up blood and fell dead as the other citizens ran away. Acantha looked at the bleeding out corpse next to her and became a bit shaky as she moved away from it. "Stop shaking like a pathetic animal left in the rain. I don't have much time before those damn sins notice you're gone." Zeldris said darkly. "I've come to strike a deal, nymph. And I'll be straight forward with it. You become a pawn to me, and I'll grant you your greatest wish or give you whatever you want." He stated. "Each night, you'll be brought to me and you must give me information you learned on the plans the sins have. After each time, I'll give you whatever you want. Power, money, anything." The commandment said.

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. An offer like this?! Certainly anyone would fall for such a thing. But she had to refuse. "I'm sorry... But no... I just can't do something like that." She stated. Zeldris glared down at her and in a flash was face to face with the nymph, his sword just barely against her throat. "Let me rephrase that, you do as I say and bring me information on the Seven Deadly Sins and what they're planning. Or I'll kill you right here and now." He threatened, pressing his blade against her pale and unmarked skin, a single drop of blood forming. Her heart raced in fear and adrenaline started to flow throughout her body. 'I don't want to die... Not when I've just started living...' She thought. "If you agree this time... I'll have mercy and still give you information. Tell me what is it you desire to know most?" He questioned, staring into her soul. Zeldris only got silence as a response but after staring deep into her eyes, he already knew.

Meanwhile, back at the tavern, everyone was drinking away and celebrating all seven sins being reunited. Elaine was even doing well enough to sit outside and enjoy herself. Though she noticed one thing, that Acantha wasn't around. In fact she hadn't been seen all night. "I'm gonna go see if Acantha is in her room." The fairy girl said and walked off. At arriving at her friend's room, she gently knocked. "Acantha, are you asleep?" She asked through the door yet received silence. The golden eyed girl gently opened the door and peaked in to make sure she wasn't going to wake up the ginger who slept in there. "Huh? She's not in here... Maybe the bathroom...?" She didnt see any lights on in the bathroom and grew concerned, walking back out. "Has anyone seen Acantha leave the tavern tonight?" She asked them all. They all gave a confused look and shook their heads. "What is she not sleeping away her life?" Ban asked drunkly and got bonked by Diane. "When you say it like that it sounds bad! Maybe she just went for a walk and we didn't see her." The giant said.

Meliodas was the most concerned. 'Usually she'd inform at least one of us before leaving...' He thought. "I'm sure she's fine if she runs into any trouble she can handle herself easy." The captain grinned. Elaine sighed softly and sat back down, just hoping Acantha would make it back easy. The sins all had their celebration and soon it was daytime. Ban had stayed up extra late to wait for Acantha to return but didnt see her enter the tavern. He eventually gave up and went to bed as well. The next morning, all the sins gathered downstairs for breakfast courtesy of Ban. "Did Lady Acantha ever return?" Elizabeth asked. Ban scratched the back of his neck. "I stayed up till almost the crack of dawn and she didn't come back. Eventually gave up and went to bed." He said, preparing scraps for Hawk.

It was silent among everyone before the sounds of floorboards creaking on the stairs interrupted the silence. "Sorry I'm not up early... I couldn't get to sleep last night..." A very tired looking Acantha said as she rubbed her eyes. Her hair was a mess and she did her best to move it out of the way. Her eyes scanned the room as Ban looked shocked. "Huh?? When did you get in???" He questioned. Acantha scratched the back of her neck. She had to think of a lie and quick. "Im not sure. I'd say around three in the morning... I went for a walk and... Felt a little faint so I rested and ended up asleep for a bit. By the time I woke up... It was around three and I headed back." She said. Gowther could tell she was lying through her teeth but decided not to question it now at least. Ban sighed. "Whatever just come eat." He said. The girl nodded and got her food before sitting down and eating. Merlin hadn't eaten breakfast and was busy up in her room working.

Elaine knew something was on her mind. After breakfast, Acantha was going to go sit in her room but felt Elaine pull her to her own room. "Hey Acantha. I can tell something's on your mind. What is it?" She asked as she sat down on her bed. Acantha looked at Elaine and merely shook her head. "Its nothing... I just... I'm just tired." She said. "Is this about what I told you on that walk, Lady Acantha?" The voice of Elizabeth sounded from the doorway. Diane had joined the princess as they all entered to have some girl time. Elaine pouted childishly that she wasn't having a moment of peace with her friend. Acantha looked at Elizabeth. "No its not that. To be honest... Thats the least of my worries." She said. "Well what is it then. Come on you can tell us?" Diane smiled. 'I really can't... I can't tell anyone... He'll know...' She thought. "Who will know...?" Elaine asked suddenly.
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Word Count: 1807